The deadline for the Medicare prescription drug insurance plan -- which began enrolling those 65 and older across the country last November, and became effective Jan. 1 -- is 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.

Arkansas' 66,000 residents who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare were automatically enrolled in the program at the first of the year. However, there were problems in the early going, as senior citizens struggled to understand the several plans available as well as computer system snafus in our state.

Those snafus cost about $6.4 million, but U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said in January the federal government would help reimburse us for our contribution to the program.

While many of those problems have subsided, the Little Rock office of the Department of Health and Human Services said Friday the state hasn't received any money yet.

That aside, the good news is our senior citizens can choose from about 40 plans administered by private companies. Each offer various premium costs and different types of coverage, with most premiums costing $20-$30 each month.

If Medicare-eligible citizens don't enroll by Monday's deadline, they won't have another chance until Nov. 15. Then, coverage would not begin until Jan. 1, 2007.

Organizations throughout Arkansas and the nation will continue to assist senior citizens to choose prescription drug plans, according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' regional office in Dallas. About 338,000 had coverage as of last week.

Unfortunately, those who don't have coverage by Monday night will face costly penalties when they do get coverage. Premiums are scheduled to increase 1 percent per month for any Part D participant who misses the deadline.

And, people who miss Monday's deadline and sign up in November will face a 7-percent monthly penalty for the entire time they are enrolled in the program.

After the initial enrollment period, senior citizens will be able to enroll or to change existing coverage only between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31 of each year. Those newly eligible for Medicare have within three months of their 65th birthday to sign up for a plan and avoid a penalty for later enrollment.

We tip our hats to those senior citizens who have completed their plan work. Remember, whether young or old, more will need our help after Monday.